Pumpkins with queer habits?

[theabsinthefairy]

The only things I have had NO success with is an olive tree and a fig tree.

Everything else has grown, fruited and survived including water melons - although they are only small due to the shortened season they are lovely and juicy.

You never know until you try.

[Jessiebean]

goodness MMM I never pictured you looking like Dame Edna! Actually I never picture anyone looking like Dame edna- I always think of you looking Like Milly Molly Mandy all grown up, hair has grown out etc...!
Absinthe Fairy- what sort of a climate are you in?

[chadspad]

M3 - those melon seeds are for sale on Ebay France. Only 1 euro for 20 seeds. I looked cos Im interested in growing them now u said you had success. Ive had no luck at all with any type of melon Ive attempted

[Millymollymandy]

You need to move one department down then Chadspad to the right area for Charentais melons! I'd have a go with the Petit Gris ones if I were you but I don't know how successful the seeds are going to be when they are not grafted like the plants are traditionally, though I'll find out this summer (weather permitting!).

[chadspad]

Have purchased some seeds (along with several other things - I can never just buy 1 lot of seeds!!) so will let you know how I get on.

[sortanormalish]

Hi from Tennesee, USA. I felt sorry for you when you said you hadn't grown watermelon! This is watermelon country. No garden is complete without a couple vines and people that grow nothing else grow watermelon. A general rule we use around here is if the cucumbers and pumkins will grow a watermelon will too. Their needs actually fall between and overlap the pumps and cukes.

There are literaly thousands of watermelon varieties. Some do well in hot, droughty conditions other thrive in cold and wet, and everything in between. There are varieties that only need 55 days from sprouting to over 100 days. Ignore the color of the flesh (every "Southerner" knows that watermelon taste is dependent on rain, sun, and soil, not color) and choose for your growing season. Obviously, you aren't going to grow 150 pound melon in less than two months, but the little ones taste better anyway and are easier to grow.

I realize it may be difficult to find the seed, I suggest you internet search for an heirloom seed provider in your country due to custom plant and seed restrictions.

Once you have your seed there are a few tiny rules. You can start them indoors in plantable pots like peat or newsprint pots, but not more than a week or two before they go outside. They will need to go out and harden for a week or so before planting. They should go into the garden two-three weeks after the last frost. You can also plant straight into the ground at this point and skip all the drama. Keep it watered well. A small piece of pipe at the base to use as a watering tube is a good idea if you are in a dry area. The leaves will droop to tell you if it needs more water. They are called 'water'melon for a reason.

This is the big rule never, never, never disturb the roots of a watermelon plant. It may not die if you are very gentle, but it will take longer to fruit and if it has already set fruit they often wither.

Also, I heard someone once (clearly not a resident of watermelon country) tell that you should pinch off extra blossoms to get a bigger fruit. Bigger yes, tastier no. In fact you will have almost no sugars and the texture is disgusting. Just let the vine decide how many fruit to set and you just keep it watered. Some manure tea would also be much appreciated, but it must not get on the vine or leaves. The absolute best fertilizer is rabbit manure raked into the soil just before planting.

The seed is very easy to save too!

[chadspad]

Ive got 2 Charente melon plants in pots in my conservatory that are growing at an amazing rate. Given the lack of success ive had growing melons outside Im wondering if I can keep them in there instead and have them growing up stakes? The fruits only small with these so will I need to support them?

[Millymollymandy]

I would support them, the fruit is heavy enough and the vines are much more slender than a pumpkin. The plants do grow enormously (in terms of how far they spread) so I hope your conservatory is big.

[chadspad]

Mmm maybe I'll just leave one in there then and put the other out. Just dont want to lose them now theyre doing so well.

[Millymollymandy]

Well don't put the other one out yet, wait till the weather warms up (if yours is anything like ours it's like bloody winter again ). Repot if necessary.

[chadspad]

Theyre in big pots already so thats alright. Weather here turned colder too - wind is freezing!! So much for global warming, its getting colder